How to Make Deep Cleaning Chicken Coop Cleaner

Cleaning a chicken coop—there’s absolutely nothing glorious or romantic about it in the least bit. This is one of those farm chores that you don’t take pictures of for instagram. It wasn’t until I learned how to make my own deep cleaning chicken coop cleaner that I really admired the cleaning process of a chicken coop.

Most commercial sprays just sterilize everything in the coop. But I wanted a spray that would not only help cleanse, but help deter pesky things like mites, lice, and insects. Not only that, but I wanted it to smell good and be aromatically pleasing for my chickens.

Little did I know how easy it would be to make my own deep cleaning chicken coop cleaner. And now I’m going to teach you how to make it!

Making an Essential Oil Coop Cleaner

In this deep cleaning chicken coop cleaner, I like to use essential oils. Essential oils are tough on grime and impurities when it comes to cleaning. We use them around our homestead and in the barnyard. And while there may be some controversy around using essential oils with chickens, I’m here to tell you that it’s 100% ok in this coop cleaner. I didn’t become an herbalist for nothing!

Not all essential oils are created the same though, so make sure you’re using trusted brands that aren’t diluted or have added fillers. You can find the oils that I use here.

photo credit: Jessica Sowards

How to Make Chicken Coop Cleaner

Now, let’s get onto the nitty gritty of it all—making the coop cleaner! I like to start by kicking out the chickens, and give our coop a thorough sweep or shovel. Then once the dust settles, I go in with my super awesome chicken coop cleaner and spray the heck out of everything. It’s a great air freshener too. Make sure you spray it in the nesting boxes (empty) and roosts too! This is what deters those nasty mites and lice from making a home in your coop.

Deep Cleaning Chicken Coop Cleaner

20 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (or 1 oz garlic extract or garlic juice)

45 drops eucalyptus essential oil

30 drops lavender essential oil

30 drops peppermint essential oil

20 drops cinnamon bark essential oil

20 drops melissa essential oil

15 drops tea tree essential oil

2 tbsp White Vinegar (unless using garlic extract)

Water

16 oz. glass spray bottle

Method:

1. In a 16 oz. glass spray bottle, combine garlic (or extract) and essential oils. If using smashed garlic, allow it to sit for several hours before using the spray (overnight is even better).
2. If using garlic extract, do not use white vinegar. Simply fill the rest of the bottle up with water 3/4 of the way full. However, if using smashed garlic, add vinegar at this point.
3. Shake the bottle well before each spray. Store in a temperature controlled area, like a pantry or medicine cabinet. Dispose after six months.

And just like that, you’ve created a heavy duty, efficient and aromatically pleasing coop cleaner for your chickens!

Deep Cleaning Chicken Coop Cleaner

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Ingredients

• 20 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed (or 1 oz garlic extract or garlic juice)
• 45 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 30 drops lavender essential oil
• 30 drops peppermint essential oil
• 20 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
• 20 drops melissa essential oil
• 15 drops tea tree essential oil
• 2 tbsp White Vinegar, unless using garlic extract
• Water
• 16 oz glass spray bottle

Instructions

Method:

1. In a 16 oz. glass spray bottle, combine garlic (or extract) and essential oils. If using smashed garlic, allow it to sit for several hours before using the spray (overnight is even better).
2. If using garlic extract, do not use white vinegar. Simply fill the rest of the bottle up with water 3/4 of the way full. However, if using smashed garlic, add vinegar at this point.
3. Shake the bottle well before each spray. Store in a temperature controlled area, like a pantry or medicine cabinet. Dispose after six months.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Find more recipes about heritage chicken keeping and naturally raising chickens in my book, The Homesteader’s Natural Chicken Keeping Handbook!